episode_0317

After happily tormenting the Apostles for a while, Cordo had to return to reality and face a troublesome issue.

Due to the continuous stream of recent incidents and information, an emergency meeting was convened internally.

“Currently, the Restraid Knights consider three entities as their primary enemies.”

At the front of the meeting room, three photos were displayed side by side on a large screen.

The race of Apostle placed on the dissection table, the Eidos, presumed to be behind the first interdimensional invasion. And the hordes of demonic beasts they produced locally.

The terrorist organization, Ariel Group, which overthrew Magnabyss and continues to expand.

The Federal Navy’s Fleet Faction, which had the most strained relationship with the clans even before the Teatime Treaty, and was the largest force after the Army, consisting of the most hardline conservatives.

Although their attitudes towards them differed depending on their interests, the positions of the other two clans would likely be similar.

Today’s topic was about the first primary enemy.

“As you have seen from numerous skirmishes and exploration results in the Red Zones and Yellow Zones, the demonic beasts’ offensive is becoming more persistent and threatening with each passing year. Especially in cases like the AC-241 incident or BO-12, intricate movements have been detected, such as intelligently destroying supply depots, disrupting major routes, or carrying out sabotage. Numerous individuals with intelligence surpassing that of humans have also been witnessed…”

Shadows fell across the faces of the high-ranking Restraid executives gathered there.

It felt like just yesterday they were celebrating their brief victory in Asteria, but despite achieving the significant feat of capturing an Apostle alive after the interdimensional invasion, the overall situation had not changed much immediately.

There was another, more concerning point.

“…We conducted an investigation based on the suspicions raised by the Strategic Intelligence Department. The results are clear.”

Sighs filled the meeting room. As the briefing continued, Cordo, who was reading a report from the highest seat in the conference room, unconsciously crumpled the paper.

“Damn it, it turned out to be true.”

When the screen changed, the first sight that appeared was a magnificent monastery city.

Photos of knights and mercenaries under Restraid searching the Asteria Erosion Zone, which currently encroached upon a part of the southern district, were shown in sequence.

“Yes, combining the analysis results, testimonies, various observation data, Federal Army satellite information, and Lumenexa Foundation’s observation results, it is estimated that at least two or more Apostles intervened at the exhibition hall.”

“What are the search results? Have you found any traces of it?”

“…We intensively searched the expected locations, but only found traces of combat and no other significant clues. There’s a possibility it died, but considering the forces of other clans that entered Asteria at the same time…”

The Strategic Intelligence Department had compiled a list of clans that entered despite the dissuasion from Restraid and the Federal Army Special Forces.

How many of these clans could truly subdue an Apostle?

The Cascadia Family: There’s a possibility if they deployed all their forces, but they focused on civilian evacuation, so they’re excluded.

Obsidian Legion detachment: Confirmed to be wiped out after the erosion zone battle.

Reclaimer? Atlas? Excluded.

Helios Frontier? They have a young and capable successor and elite hunters, but they have no means to subdue an Apostle. Excluded.

Ariel Group? They are persistent. However, based on what was detected just before the engagement, they had no way to deliver a decisive blow.

They withdrew from combat after the nuclear attack, so they’re excluded. They are a target of caution anyway.

Unix, Ekaz, excluded…

After meticulously examining all possibilities, there was a significant chance that the Apostle had survived.

Because, theoretically, if it had died, certain traces that should have remained were not found.

“This is infuriating.”

It was somewhat foreseen, but when the time came to discuss multiple Apostles, the executives were aghast, each letting out exclamations of despair.

“You invested so much manpower and time and still couldn’t find it? Are you joking right now?”

“It means there’s at least one more of its kind roaming somewhere in the southern district! Let’s contact the Senate Speaker. We need to persuade the Army faction to lease more nukes!”

“Stop with the nuke talk! Haven’t you seen the records from the first invasion? Atomic bombs are useless! Let’s bring in Magnabyss, who’s in seclusion in Lumeria! Aren’t they the ones who’ve killed the most Apostles in this era?!”

The fact that a monster capable of distorting reality and even masquerading as a human was now hiding somewhere became a stark reality, giving them a headache.

More importantly, they had to consider the worst-case scenario. Perhaps it had already infiltrated a clan and was carrying out assassinations or sabotage.

Cordo, who could no longer just watch the agitated executives, spoke in a low, growling voice.

“Quiet.”

The executives closed their mouths and lowered their gazes as if nothing had happened.

“Are you men trembling and cowering at uncertain information? After leaving the field to be desk jockeys, you must have grown afraid of dying, huh? It’s laughable to see you fussing and gossiping like little girls. If you’re going to make such a ruckus, hand in your resignation and leave right now!”

Cordo, judging that he had seized the initiative, slowly rose from his seat.

“Nothing is certain. It might draw in more of its kind to relentlessly seek revenge on us, or it might have already withdrawn. But as the Great War proved, they are foes that can be killed. And we have also proven it. We willingly captured one of those repulsive creatures with our own strength.”

Reality was harsh. It had only been a few months since they began researching the true enemy, but the joint research lab had already encountered numerous difficulties.

In investigating the enemy’s equipment, physiology, and ecology, human knowledge had reached its limits.

‘If the investigation results are true, then we were lucky.’

If they had faced two or more Apostles, even if they won, they would have had to endure tremendous sacrifices.

However, Restraid is not one to compromise with reality.

“We have the Colossus. It’s an early model, but it was capable enough to subdue an Apostle. And as you all know, we are researching the Apostle. We will secure the power to truly subdue it, complete the Colossus, and mass-produce it. There’s no need to be afraid!”

At the arbitrary and confident attitude of the Commander and Chairman, the executives regained their composure.

But Cordo himself secretly realized it. Nothing was certain.

The Commander felt the need to discuss the primary enemy at the meeting.

‘Damn it, the wall is too high.’

**

Violet and the others conducted various experiments with the newly acquired weapons.

“Bang!”

The target board set up on the deserted island shattered. The hunting rifles that used autocannon rounds were certainly appealing.

“But they’re heavy!”

“The firing rate is slow, and depending on the situation, it’s overkill. Just firing several rifles has a similar effect, doesn’t it?”

Due to the existence of demonic beasts, the academy city’s firearms had become oversized beyond a certain point.

Even the caliber of the most basic rifles was quite large, and when it came to heavy weapons, one wondered how they could even be held and fired.

Without doing this much, it was impossible to penetrate the demonic beasts’ hides and magic defenses.

“Still, it’s cool, isn’t it?”

“That’s true.”

Moreover, Awakened Ones possess much greater physical strength and endurance than ordinary people.

Thus, after the first interdimensional invasion, a world where people wielded and fired cannons arrived.

Weapons mounted on vehicles became even more massive, as if in a competition.

Ruzilin’s Cheolkwon would be a prime example of that.

However, Awakened Ones also frequently utilized all sorts of strange and wondrous weapons.

“Lightning Spear!”

The Lightning Spear ordered from a small workshop on the Helios side looked far more refined and powerful than the ones previously used.

They said the spearhead was made sharper to penetrate enemy armor, and the explosive power was also improved.

They also said that some warheads had magical formulas carved onto their surfaces, allowing them to grant various effects.

In other words, they could now undertake even more powerful suicidal charges.

“They say heavy metal projectiles are embedded inside!”

“Good! I’ll be able to self-destruct more effectively!”

Actually, they wanted to order a variety of other weapons from the workshop.

For example, swords, maces, or axes filled with explosives.

But the workshop opposed it, saying it was inefficient.

“Those guys have no romance!”

Weapons are meant to explode for true enjoyment.

They wished everyone knew how satisfying it was to see a bomb slowly roll into a high-speed ballistic field and smash a demonic beast, or how delightfully a demonic beast’s body would shatter into pieces when hit by a grenade.

“Bigger bombs! Bigger romance!”

So, we make our own bombs. In a corner of the factory, no less.

“What’s this? It looks just like the water tank I sleep in. A bit smaller, though. Is it a water tank to carry me?”

Just then, Enrica, who had finished her self-study, looked at their work with curiosity.

It’s only natural to answer when a friend asks.

“It is a water tank, but not for that purpose. These are bomb materials!”

First, they choose a suitable metal water tank. Then, they get steel plates, roughly cut them with sword energy, and weld them into the necessary shapes and for their intended use.

They also build a temporary cockpit on top of a large drum, where Violet can lie down and control it.

And then, voilà! The outer shell of the bomb is complete.

“I ride in this, then swoosh, I drop! I lie here and control the wings with my arms and legs!”

“Wow, Violet flies well in the sky.”

Then, just add explosives and anti-magic shrapnel liners, and it’s done.

Of course, they only do that when needed; the basic shells are usually stored in their inventories or transported by vehicle.

“We’re also developing an even bigger bomb than this!”

The bomb will probably be called the 5-ton bomb. It will be a weapon symbolizing Violet’s independent strength.

Of course, one shouldn’t rely solely on weapons.

They should properly utilize the tactical immersion taught by the bandits not only in close combat but also in gunfights.

With those thoughts, they headed to the private training ground for the weekend, where a rather shocking sight awaited them.

“This is a big problem! Look at that!”

Daphne was seriously scratching her palm back and forth. Then she repeatedly healed the wounds.

“Gasp! What are you doing?!”

“You startled me! Violet. Why are you here so early?!”

At that moment, they realized a shocking truth.

“Our friend is trying to end her life!”

“No!”